December 3, 2018 4.35 pm This story is over 63 months old

New operator for two Lincoln libraries

There are discussions over a third library

Boultham Library, off Boultham Park Road. Photo: Google Street View

A local company is taking over the running of two Lincoln libraries, the previous operator of which ceased treading earlier this year.

As previously reported, Learning Communities ran the Birchwood, Boultham and Ermine libraries and communities hub until it stopped trading in May 2018.

Ignite is taking on the running of Birchwood and Boultham libraries, which have been supported by the council’s main library provider Greenwich Leisure Limited since Learning Communities ceased trading.

The two libraries will be temporarily closed to allow for this transition to take place, with the intention for them to re-open later this week.

This also means the loan period on items that have been borrowed from the library has been automatically extended by three weeks.

The third facility at Ermine is still under discussions for a new operator and will remain open with the assistance of GLL and volunteers in the meantime.

Executive Member for Culture at the county council, Councillor Nick Worth, said: “We’re really looking forward to working with Ignite to keep these fantastic libraries at the heart of their communities.

“We’re very grateful to Greenwich Leisure Limited and particularly the volunteers for having stepped up to help us to keep them open over the last few months.

“There will need to be a temporary, week-long closure to allow for this transition, but we hope to have the doors open again by later this week.”